Inter and intraspecies comparison of the level of selected bacterial phyla in in cattle and sheep based on feces

Background The microbiome of the digestive tract of ruminants contains microbial ecosystem that is affected by both environmental and genetic factors. The subject of this study concerns the influence of selected genetic factors, such as species of animals and “host” individual differences on the digestive tract microbiome composition. The results show the core microbiological composition (Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes) of ruminants digestive tract (based on feces) depending on breed and “host”. The Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes phyla are the most abundant in ruminants digestive tract. The aim of the study was to determine the differences prevalence level of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes phyla in feces of Charolaise cattle and Polish Olkuska Sheep with respect to intra- and inter-species variability. Results The research group in the experiment consisted of animals at the age of 3 months kept in the same environmental conditions – rams of Polish Olkuska Sheep (n = 10) and Charolaise bulls (n = 10). Feces were collected individually from each animal (animals without disease symptoms were selected), living on the same environmental conditions. The analysis of the results in terms of species showed differences in the Firmicutes phylum level and Lactobacillaceae family between rams and bulls. Subsequently, the analysis performed for the “host effect” showed differentiation in the levels of the Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes phyla between individuals in a group and also between the groups. Conclusion The obtained results suggest that, apart from the diet and the environment, the species and the individual host are equally important factors influencing the microbiological composition of the digestive system of ruminants.

The (non) determinants of Olympic success

This paper empirically examines the determinants of Summer Olympic success during the period 1996-2016. By modifying the panel Tobit estimator using the Mundlak transform, the results find that population size and the host effect are the only statistically significant determinants of Olympic attainment. We also show that participating in front of a home crowd will stimulate athletic performance equally for each gender, but the impact of population differs between the sexes. These findings are confirmed using a hurdle estimator. This relaxes the assumption that the factors determining Olympic success are the same as those that influence the quantity of success.

Dinophyceae use exudates as weapons against the parasite Amoebophrya sp. (Syndiniales)

SummaryParasites of the genus Amoebophrya sp. are important contributors to marine ecosystems and can be determining factors in the demise of blooms of Dinophyceae, including microalgae commonly responsible for toxic red tides. Yet they rarely lead to the total collapse of Dinophyceae blooms. The addition of resistant Dinophyceae (Alexandrium minutum or Scrippsiella donghaienis) or their exudate into a well-established host-parasite culture (Scrippsiella acuminata-Amoebophrya sp.) mitigated the success of the parasite and increased the survival of the sensitive host. Effect were mediated via water-borne molecules without the need of a physical contact. Severity of the anti-parasitic defenses fluctuated depending on the species, the strain and its concentration, but never totally prevented the parasite transmission. The survival time of Amoebophrya sp. free-living stages (dinospores) decreased in presence of A. minutum but not of S. donghaienis. The progeny drastically decreased with both species. Integrity of the membrane of dinospores was altered by A. minutum which provided a first indication on the mode of action of these anti-parasitic molecules. These results demonstrate that extracellular defenses are an effective strategy against parasites that does not only protect the resistant cells but also have the potential to affect the whole surrounding community.

Inverse “guest–host” effect: ferroelectric nanoparticles mediated switching of nematic liquid crystals

We report an inverse guest–host effect: Ferroelectric nanoparticles (a guest) can fully control orientational transitions in a liquid crystal host.

How strong are soccer teams? The ‘Host paradox’ and other counterintuitive properties of the FIFA’s ranking.

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'} <p>FIFA's ranking of national soccer teams is plagued with paradoxes. One surprising paradox is a dramatic underrating of the hosts of main tournaments. The hosts, who are absent from the preliminaries, for a long time, play only friendlies that award few points. Three models estimate the magnitude of the resulting “Host Effect” at 14.1-16.7 positions. Such an estimate goes against the intuition that a large investment in hosting a tournament should result in improvement of the host team’s standing. Host’s low ranking decreases the interest in the tournament and may result in a major loss of advertisement revenue.</p>

How strong are soccer teams? The ‘Host paradox’ and other counterintuitive properties of the FIFA’s ranking.

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'} <p>FIFA's ranking of national soccer teams is plagued with paradoxes. One surprising paradox is a dramatic underrating of the hosts of main tournaments. The hosts, who are absent from the preliminaries, for a long time, play only friendlies that award few points. Three models estimate the magnitude of the resulting “Host Effect” at 14.1-16.7 positions. Such an estimate goes against the intuition that a large investment in hosting a tournament should result in improvement of the host team’s standing. Host’s low ranking decreases the interest in the tournament and may result in a major loss of advertisement revenue.</p>

How strong are soccer teams? The Host Paradox and other counterintuitive properties of the FIFA ranking.

FIFA's ranking of national soccer teams is plagued with paradoxes. One surprising paradox is a dramatic underrating of the hosts of main tournaments. The hosts, who are absent from the preliminaries, for a long time, play only friendlies that award few points. Three models estimate the magnitude of the resulting “Host Effect” at 14.1-16.7 positions. Such an estimate goes against the intuition that a large investment in hosting a tournament should result in the improvement of the host team’s standing. Host’s low ranking decreases the interest in the tournament and may result in a major loss of advertisement revenue.